Japan's core inflation accelerated in November as rising food and fuel costs hit households, data showed on Friday, keeping the central bank under pressure to raise interest rates.

Global NR production up to November 2024 reached 12.7 million tons, a rise of 2.4% compared to the same period of the previous year. Meanwhile, global NR demand reached 13.9 million tons, a rise of 0.5% compared to the same period in 2023. Overall, the fourth quarter of 2024 is forecasted to experience a seasonal increase in supply of raw materials that partly leads to a fall in NR prices.

The imminent arrival of Donald Trump in the White House was already shaping global economic policy-making this week as the U.S. Federal Reserve flagged fewer rate cuts and other leading central banks signalled caution over their rate paths.

U.S. new vehicle sales are expected to rise 7.3% in December, aided by deeper discounts from automakers and dealers, industry consultants J.D. Power and GlobalData said in a joint report on Thursday.

The number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits fell more than expected last week, almost reversing the prior two weeks' increases and suggesting that a gradual labor market slowdown remained in place.

The dollar was set to cap the week on a strong note on Friday as it was perched near a two-year high bolstered by a hawkish U.S. rate outlook, while the yen struggled to stay afloat as it again weakened to a new low.